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In his article “Sharia-Free America: Why Political Islam & Sharia Law Are Incompatible with the U.S. Constitution,” Stephen Gelé, a partner at Bivalacqua, Gelé, highlights the fundamental discord between political Islam, Sharia law, and the principles enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Gelé argues that the values and legal framework of political Islam and Sharia law conflict with the core tenets of the American legal system and democratic governance.
Gelé emphasizes that political Islam seeks to establish a theocratic form of government based on Sharia law, which includes provisions that contradict the principles of equality, freedom of speech, and religious liberty protected by the U.S. Constitution. He points out that Sharia law encompasses rules on governance, social conduct, and personal behavior that are at odds with the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution.
Furthermore, Gelé asserts that allowing the influence of political Islam and Sharia law in the American legal system poses a threat to the separation of church and state, a foundational principle of the U.S. Constitution. He contends that integrating Sharia law into the legal framework would undermine the secular nature of the government and jeopardize the rights and freedoms of all citizens, regardless of their beliefs.
Overall, Gelé’s argument underscores the inherent incompatibility between political Islam, Sharia law, and the principles of the U.S. Constitution, emphasizing the importance of upholding the secular and democratic values that form the basis of American society.